Note: Rare bird reports and submissions, along with documentation and with photographs where available, are circulated to all committee members for written response in advance. During the subsequent conference call, and after all written responses have been circulated, each submission is discussed in detail. Recommendations are made by consensus.
A total of 11 submissions involving 10 species were reviewed through written submissions for Round 26.
Reflecting the evolution of rare bird reporting and the now wide-spread use of digital photography by birders, newer submissions are frequently supported by photographs. However, the committee strongly encourages observers to continue to make careful field notes to support all submissions. These field notes often prove extremely important to the committee’s decision making even when apparently “good” photographs are provided.
A full account of all the decisions made by the committee, including records not accepted, will be published in an upcoming issue of our journal British Columbia Birds.
The following species were accepted to the Main Provincial List
Field Sparrow (26 September 2018 – Kelowna)
BCBRC #2019–01 Nathan Earley
(No photo)
Red-throated Pipit (28 September 2018 – Saanich)
BCBRC #2019–03 Geoffrey Newell
Photo: Geoffrey Newell
Little Gull (07 November 2018 [see note] – Victoria)
BCBRC#2019–05 Geoffrey Newell
NOTE: What was likely the same bird was photographed but not identified on Oct. 31. Sightings continued nearby until Nov. 09. The whole date range is likely thus Oct. 31 to Nov. 09, 2018. Additional (and better) photos at: https://bcbirdalert.blogspot.com/2018/11/rba-little-gull-in-victoria-oct-31-nov.html
Photo: Geoffrey Newell
Black-headed Gull (20 November 2018 – Victoria)
BCBRC#2019–06 Geoffrey Newell
Photo: Geoffrey Newell
Vermilion Flycatcher (20 October 2018 – White Rock)
BCBRC #2019–07 Kaichi Huang
Photo: Kaichi Huang
Lesser Goldfinch(3) (15 July 2018 to present – Osoyoos)
BCBRC#2019–08 David Bell
Photo: David Bell
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (05 – 27 November 2018 – Kelowna)
BCBRC#2019–9 Chris Charlesworth
Photo: Chris Charlesworth
An audio recording is at: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50261436
Lesser Black-backed Gull (31 Oct. 2018 – Kelowna)
BCBRC#2019–10 Chris Charlesworth
Photo: Chris Charlesworth
Arctic Loon (25 to 28 November 2018 – Sooke)
BCBRC#2019–011 David Bell
Photo: David Bell